Job Overview
An exciting opportunity is available at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital for an Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist to join our Spinal Disorders team. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate professional to deliver high-quality patient care as part of our multidisciplinary team.
The successful candidate will provide direct clinical care, including assessment, treatment, and management of undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions. A proactive attitude and willingness to learn are essential.
Our Spinal Disorders team is committed to achieving the best outcomes for our patients and is recognised for its quality of service, professional development, postgraduate training, and collaborative culture. This role offers excellent opportunities for career progression.
Please note: The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.
** Pay banding subject to NHS terms and conditions job evaluation **
Main duties of the job
Referral Triage and Pathway Management
Independently triages Spinal referrals, evaluating and identifying those suitable.
Directs other referrals appropriately, following established protocols.
First Point of Contact and Clinical Assessment
Acts as the initial contact for patients referred to Orthopaedic Spine clinic.
Manages a clinical caseload, performing assessments, formulating diagnoses, and managing patients within an extended scope of practice.
Advanced Clinical Practice
Provides independent expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and advice for a range of spinal disorders.
Utilises medical investigations and specialist clinical reasoning and decision-making skills that exceed standard physiotherapy practice.
Undertakes medical diagnostic tasks and specialist investigations.
Communication and Expertise Sharing
Communicates complex clinical information to patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals.
Serves as a source of advanced clinical knowledge for physiotherapists and other health professionals.
Audit and Service Evaluation
Participates as a member of a MDT to develop and maintain an audit trail.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration
Works within an MDT under the supervision of the Spinal Disorders team, regularly discussing cases and decisions.
Presents cases to the spinal MDT and gains exposure to spinal injection techniques, with the aim of developing these skills for future practice.
Working for our organisation
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job – we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.
We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities – including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).
RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.
The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.
We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Clinical Autonomy & Expertise:
Independently manage patient caseloads, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for spinal disorders and complex pathologies.
Utilise advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making to formulate individualised treatment plans and request/interpret medical investigations (e.g., radiographs, CT, MRI, pathology tests, MSK ultrasound).
Advanced Treatment & Leadership:
Deliver expert treatment programs using manual therapy, exercise, education, and injection/interventional procedures.
Provide clinical leadership and specialist advice to therapy teams, and develop advanced skills in radiology, pathology, pharmacology, and joint injection.
Communication & Collaboration:
Effectively communicate complex patient information and management plans with multidisciplinary teams, patients, carers, and consultants.
Overcome communication barriers and ensure patient understanding and consent; network with extended scope physiotherapists and collaborate with external providers.
Professional Standards & Development:
Maintain competence through continuous professional development, reflective practice, and adherence to professional and legal standards (e.g., CSP, Health and Safety Act).
Keep accurate patient records and participate in performance reviews and personal development planning.
Education, Research & Audit:
Educate team members, participate in research, develop evidence-based guidelines, and implement clinical audits to improve service quality.
Stay updated with advances in orthopaedic spinal care and national/local standards.
Organisational & Leadership Skills:
Coordinate multidisciplinary interventions, plan efficient use of time, and lead service development projects.
Benchmark services nationally and locally, and contribute to strategic and operational planning.
Essential Experience & Attributes:
Minimum seven years postgraduate experience in musculoskeletal care, with at least three years at senior level.
Demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge, communication, leadership, audit involvement, and the ability to work independently under pressure.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
Ability to demonstrate a broad understanding of possible patient pathways within the musculoskeletal field
Demonstrate sound clinical knowledge of the disease process and management of pathology affecting the musculoskeletal system with detailed knowledge of anatomy and advanced assessment and treatment skills
Possess good verbal and written communications skills to communicate with staff at all levels in the organisation and to communicate with patients who will have varied levels of understanding.
Demonstrate previous involvement in the audit process.
Experience
Essential criteria
Proven postgraduate experience in the musculoskeletal field,
Evidence of training/experience in ordering relevant investigations
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Degree/Honours/Diploma in Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy Registered with HCPC
Evidence of further study/training or experience to the equivalent of Masters Level e.g., MSc, MACP
Ability to demonstrate Continued Professional Development including reflective practice and advanced practice qualification /portfolio
Non-clinical, Clinical leadership courses, supervisory management course, coaching & mentoring qualification.
Evidence of radiology training/experience
Desirable criteria
Independent/supplementary Prescriber
Knowledge
Essential Criteria
Highly developed specialised knowledge acquired through degree level study, underpinned by training and experience to masters level.
Values
Essential Criteria
Demonstrates commitment to the Trust's published values